Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Michael L. Connor has announced that Kerry McCalman has been selected as Reclamation's Senior Advisor for Hydropower and Electric Reliability Compliance Officer.

As Senior Advisor, McCalman will serve as the liaison on intergovernmental initiatives associated with hydropower delivery and be responsible for Reclamation's overall compliance with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Mandatory Bulk Electric System Reliability Standards. He will also coordinate implementation of corporate partnership efforts involving Reclamation's power functions and activities in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bonneville Power Administration, Western Area Power Administration and the Tennessee Valley Authority.

"Kerry brings a wealth of experience from all levels of power operations and management, including working together with Reclamation's customers, stakeholders and industry," Connor said today. "His experience will be a great asset as Reclamation supports the Obama Administration's initiative to generate 80 percent of the nation’s electricity from a diverse set of clean energy sources by 2035."

Since October 2008, McCalman has served as manager of the Power Resources Office in Denver, Colo., responsible for oversight and policy of Reclamation's Power Program. McCalman joined Reclamation in 1998, working in power, operations and maintenance management positions in Idaho, Colorado, Montana and Utah. Prior to his tenure with Reclamation, McCalman served as a hydropower manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Oklahoma.

McCalman has an Engineering Physics and Mathematics degree from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Okla.

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Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR.